It’s “Official”: Reynaud Is A Running Back

I still don’t put much stock in the recent reports of the Vikings moving Darius Reynaud to running back. I recently stated that I think it is little more than pre-Draft smoke trying to mask the Vikings intentions to draft a running back this year, and perhaps earlier than most would expect.

However, according to Judd Zulgad of Access Vikings, reports that the Vikings have made the move (no word on if he had to change his number).

Even in the absence of Chester Taylor, the Vikings backfield is suddenly a bit crowded. Adrian Peterson is the clear cut starter. After that, however, the #2 and #3 spots appear to be up for grabs.

Albert Young is expected to man the #2 spot on the depth chart, at least between now and the draft. Zulgad indicates that right now Reynaud, who projects as a “scat back”, holds the #3 spot. From there, you have James Johnson and Ian Johnson trying to earn some playing time.

To make matters even more complicated, Brad Childress recently suggested that Percy Harvin could see more carries in 2010 than he did in 2009.

But let’s go back to Reynaud.

At Hanville High School, Reynaud rushed for 1,889 yards (8 yards per carry) and 37 touchdowns. He led his team to a 15-0 record that year, which resulted in a State Championship win. At West Virginia, Reynaud was used both on the ground and through the air. Since taking over the Vikings punt return duties, there is little doubt about his ability to make things happen in the open field.

I’ve spent time at running back all my life, so it’s nothing different,” Reynaud told KFAN Radio this week. “It’s a different route going from receiver to running back so I have to learn the protections, all the plays, so it’s something new.”

While I still think that the Vikings will draft a running back, each of these guys should be focused on one thing, and one thing only if they want to earn a spot on the active roster backing up Adrian Peterson: picking up blitzes.

Here is a look at what Reynaud did both in the air and on the ground at West Virginia:

The Vikings’ return to the playoffs in 2008 was fueled in large part by one of the league’s best offensive lines. What a difference a year makes. Last year, the team never opened lanes for its running backs, putting the offensive pressure squarely on the shoulders of Brett Favre. Minnesota had a great season — and a great offense — so the deficiencies were somewhat obscured. Still, the whole line was mediocre or worse last season.

The two sensible places to upgrade are center and right guard. Left tackle Bryant McKinnie and left guard Steve Hutchinson produced league-average results for Pro Bowler salaries, but both will undoubtedly be back and hoping for a bounce-back season. Rookie right tackle Phil Loadholt was impressive at times as a run-blocker, although he lacked consistency. It’s reasonable to expect him to improve in Year 2.

The middle of the line, however, was a bit of a disaster with no firm, long-term plan in place. With the rest of the line struggling, the weakness of Anthony Herrera was exposed, and at age 30, he is unlikely to get better. At center, John Sullivan was unable to adequately replace veteran Matt Birk, leading to too many situations where the line collapsed on running plays. The Vikings had the second-highest percentage of runs that were stuffed for a loss or no gain.

The Vikings appear to have decided to sit out free agency, and collective bargaining rules that limit the free-agent signings of a team that made the conference championship obviously has an impact on that decision. Therefore, the Vikings will be reliant on the draft for help. The team is mostly complete, with no obvious deficiencies for the 2010 season. A long-term strategy could focus on finding replacements for some of the Vikings’ aging core, such as defensive tackle Pat Williams or cornerback Antoine Winfield. For 2010, however, the biggest impact would be drafting an interior offensive lineman in the early rounds. The fact that this team will likely sink or swim based on Favre’s status makes playing for the moment a sensible solution.

Sorry Adam, but I really hope that running back is not on our radar screen this year, at least for day 1. Once the holes are there, we are fine at RB, and you know who makes the holes. I will say, however, that I really believe that losing Chester was a significant loss.

I think this is an indication that the Vikings playbook may look a little different this year. With both DarRay and Percy taking these roles, we could see some freaky stuff going on next season. Wonder if this is seen as a good thing by the Wrangler? He’s watchin’ ya know.

A smoke screen? A player going on a radio station talking about the NCAA semi finals and just happens to talk about next year and the fact that he is moving to running back is a smoke screen? Boy oh boy you think the Vikes would go that far to put up a smoke screen for the 30th pick? Fred thinks you’ve flipped your lid!

WFT if they decide they want McCoy, they had better trade back and get him later. There are’t alot of teams that are lining up at early number 2 to pick him up. It would be nice to get more for McCoy and not waste a number 30 when we can get him later.

Browns, bills, redskins, pats, raiders early in round two. He won’t get past them. I seen several mocks today that have Clausen dropping to Vikes, but McCoy is picked by redskins or bills in round one. My stepson that studies everything about the nfl, every team (he is a bronco fan). He bet me 100 bucks that there will be 4 qbs frafted in the first round. I when if there are less or more. He also says McCoy to Vikes at 30. He loves Mccoy says he is best qb in the draft, but hates to vikes, so is mad the vikes might get him. He wants the broncos to draft him. He had a web sight of scouts and coaches comments up yesterday, and almost every comment said McCoy was 100 times better then Bradford in the prodays. McCoy can complete every pass short medium long short role out right short role out left medium role out right medium role out left long role out right long role out left. I watched both pro days Bradford and Mccoy, I loved Bradford for two years and hated McCoy, But after watching both prodays, McCoys proday was ten times better then Bradfords.

Reynaud will be a great 3rd down back on short/medium situations. 3rd and long is going to be more of a challenge because of the extra split second the QB will need in the pocket, and Reynaud will have to learn how to pick up the blitz NFL style.

I love the move. Nowhere close to filling the void left by Chester, but a step in the right direction.

Like some others, I feel the team will still draft a RB who can play on all downs.

We can’t afford our first pick to be used on Colt unless we receive another in the form of losing a RFA like Edwards who might gets picked up by another team and with a couple of teams looking at him in the second round. Drafting ahead of us that maybe their only shot they have to get him, if in fact he is even really on the Vikings radar, time will tell.

We can’t afford our first pick to be used on Colt unless we receive another in the form of losing a RFA like Edwards who might get picked up by another team and with a couple of teams looking at him in the second round. Drafting ahead of us that maybe their only shot they have to get him, if in fact he is even really on the Vikings radar, time will tell.

[…] NO ONE CAN REPLACE MOE! But depth at that position is needed. The Vikings did recently, allegedly, move wide receiver Darius Reynaud to running back but … come on. You guys can’t be serious with that shit. Not even the […]